48,000 X-rays not properly checked in Qld

Almost 50,000 X-rays taken at public hospitals on the Gold Coast have not been properly checked.

The Gold Coast Hospitals and Health Service had been trying to reduce the backlog at the Gold Coast and Robina hospitals for the last six months, but its board didn't realise the magnitude of the problem until last Thursday.

The 48,000 X-rays, taken since 2013, had been examined by radiographers and treating specialists, but not specialist radiologists as required.

While there is a low risk for the patients concerned, the health service says, at least two have suffered adverse effects as a result of the failure.

The board's patient safety spokeswoman Colette McCool said about 22,000 X-rays have been earmarked for priority review.

"In having the films reviewed by a specialist radiologist, what we are looking for is any secondary diagnoses that might be evident to an image reading expert," she said.

The board's chief executive Ron Calvert said previous efforts to fix the problem had failed.

"Our efforts to remedy the situation have stumbled. We make mistakes. It happens. Our job is to make sure when we make these mistakes we are open and transparent about it and we learn from it and improve," he said.

Mr Calvert said any patients found to have secondary problems would be contacted.

An allocation of $1.4 million in additional funds has been made to specifically address the issue.